The award is for high standards in water quality, facilities, beach safety, environmental education and management.

It means the beaches have passed tough international bathing water quality standards.

Mike Harrison, the council's environmental health manager, said: "Achieving Blue Flag status isn't easy and we are delighted to have retained the Blue Flags giving local people and visitors the confidence to know that our beaches are well maintained.

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"Every morning throughout the summer season the main beaches are mechanically raked to ensure they are litter free for the coming day, with teams working hard throughout the day to maintain the standard.

"A clean beach is integral to our summer-time economy, drawing huge numbers of visitors to the East Coast every year, supporting our local businesses and helping to maintain and create jobs for local people."

A new survey carried out for Keep Britain Tidy shows that nine out of 10 people said cleanliness, safety and assured water quality were key factors in deciding which beach to visit and 93 per cent believe that it is important to preserve and protect our beaches.

This year, the international Blue Flag Award Scheme marks its 30th anniversary.

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When the scheme was first launched in 1987, 12 English beaches achieved the Blue Flag and it has now soared to 68.

Keep Britain Tidy's chief executive Allison Ogden-Newton said: "It is great news for holidaymakers, overseas visitors and businesses that rely on coastal tourism that we have been able to award so many flags this year.

"The success of our beaches in reaching the very high standards demanded by both awards are a real testament to all those who have worked so hard to protect and improve our beaches – from beach managers to local people and businesses.

"When you enjoy a day on the beach flying a Blue Flag or Seaside Award, you know you are on one of the safest, cleanest and very best in the country."